Family honors son with half a million Christmas lights

The Clark family has transformed their house into a dazzling spectacle with half a million Christmas lights, paying tribute to their son and raising funds for charity. Their display, located on Colonel's Lane in Boughton-Under-Blean, began with a small arrangement around the front door to celebrate their son Jacks birthday. Jack, born four weeks prematurely in 2002, faced critical health challenges at birth.

Over the years, the decoration has expanded into a major attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each season, according to East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust. Jack's mother, Michelle Clark, expressed, "These lights represent Jacks birthday cake, and I hope he can see them wherever he is now."

The family continues to support the East Kent Hospitals Charity. Funds raised benefit the neonatal intensive care unit at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the special care baby unit at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. Michelle added, "Our lights symbolize love and loss, connecting our home to every tiny fighter and their families. We hope visitors pause to remember the babies no longer with us and contribute to those who need support."

In 2024, the display helped raise 12,500 for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust. The family has already collected over 1,250 through their festive lights. Jacks father, Ross Clark, shared that witnessing "childrens faces light up with joy" makes the effort worthwhile. "Everything we do is for Jack, to celebrate his birthday and ensure his memory shines brightly," he said.

For the first time in 2024, the family added a memory tree at the front of the display, allowing visitors to leave messages for loved ones they have lost. The lights will be on daily from 08:00 GMT to 23:30 until 5 January.

Author: Sophia Brooks